KKB Does Not Ask For A Reward For The Release Of Pilot Susi Air Philip Mehrtens

The Arrival Of Susi Air Pilot Philip Mehrtens After Being Released By KKB Papua/ Photo: ANTARA

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto emphasized that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya did not ask for anything in return to release Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Mehrtens is a New Zealand pilot who has been held hostage by the Egianus Kogoya group in the Papua mountains since February 7, 2023.

"Nothing. There is nothing they ask for. We only (take) a persuasive approach," said Hadi at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Saturday, September 21.

Hadi explained that Mehrtens' release required a very long negotiation process, and was carried out by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force from the TNI-Polri.

"From time to time, from day to day, monitoring developments in the Nduga area, and we are grateful that what we want in the field can go well," he said.

However, he said that the negotiation process also involved traditional leaders, the community, the church. According to him, all parties greatly influenced Mehrtens' release process.

"Imagine one year and seven months we are negotiating, and thank God we are the Task Force team, and assisted by all components can complete this task well," he explained.

Mehrtens was released on Saturday, and picked up by the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force team in Yuguru Village, Maibarok District, Nduga Regency.

Then, the Task Force flew Mehrtens to Timika for a health check process. After being declared healthy, Mehrtens was flown from Timika to Jakarta by plane belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.

Upon arrival in Jakarta, Mehrtens was handed over by the Indonesian government represented by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett who represented his country's government.